In front of thousands of vibrant supporters and with the world tuned in, Greek PM Alexis Tsipras on Friday again urged for a “no” vote in a referendum he called exactly one week ago on creditors’ last proposal – a poll that has nevertheless been portrayed by European leadership and Tsipras’ political opponents as a plebiscite on Greece’s very position in a united Europe.
He twice, in fact, said that “no matter what the result on Sunday” Greece’s place was in Europe, and by extension, in the euro zone.
In exiting the stage in front of Greece’s Parliament in central Athens, a musical troupe began to play a song that included the… drachma in the lyrics.
Here’s the song by Greek performer, and vocal “no” proponent Socrates Malamas, with the lyrics: “As much as one drachma’s worth, for others it’s worth a life…”
“We want a Europe that will return to its founding principles. No one will cut off Greece from it natural geographic space,” he said, not mentioning “political” or “economic” space, however.
He also appeared impervious, on the surface at least, to recent and vocal criticism by a bevy of EUropean leaders, responding by saying, “the Greek people have proved that they know how to return ultimatums…”
Finally, he called on the people, “no matter what the result,” not to divide… instead calling for a “celebration” and saying he has the situation under control…
In a sign of the times, Tsipras also posed for a … selfie with his junior coalition partner, the brash president and founder of the rightist-populist Independent Greeks (ANEL) party, current DM Panos Kammenos.
